Monterey County is No. 2 in nation for hybrid car sales

Monterey County is the No. 2 market for hybrid cars in the country, said the Polk automotive research firm.

Hybrids made up 8.9 percent of all county vehicle sales in 2012 — more than triple the national average, the company reports.

The county was only bested by the San Francisco Bay Area, in which hybrids made up 9.5 percent of all car sales.

The Southfield, Mich.-based Polk tracks purchases through new vehicle registrations.

There were 1,577 hybrids registered in Monterey County last year, and the most popular model was the Toyota Prius.

"It was the pioneer of hybrid vehicles," said Peter Blackstock, owner of Victory Toyota in Seaside. "... We're a very environmentally sensitive audience here. People have gravitated to it."

Blackstock said hybrids have been a huge part of his business since he began selling them in 2000. He said interest increases each time gas prices rise.

Toyota dominated the local hybrid market, making up 73 percent of hybrid sales. Top competitors included the Chevrolet Volt and Lexus CT200H.

The most popular new car in the county last year was the Honda Civic with 858 registrations. The Civic's hybrid model, about $7,000 more, made up just 46 of those registrations.

Kristi Markey, policy team leader at the Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Alliance, said weather, convenience and financial incentives are reasons the hybrid and electric market is strong here.

"In general, I think people on the Central Coast are forward-thinking," she said.

Markey said there are few alternative fuel vehicles that can handle snowy climates, but they are fine for traveling in the county.

She said there is a strong network of mechanics in the region who can work on the cars because of a progressive history of alternative fuels in California.

Additionally, the state and federal government are trying to sweeten the pot for electric cars.

A federal tax credit of $2,500 to $7,500 is available depending on the size of the battery, according to Plug In America.

California has one of the highest state rebates for electric cars in the country, up to $2,500, but it only applies to a certain type of car. Owners of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, like the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Plug-in Prius, are eligible for the refund.

Most federal tax credits for hybrids have expired, and there are no financial rebates or tax credits from California.

Blackstock said Prius owners, for example, keep buying new versions of the vehicle, so the government has no need to motivate customers.

He predicts there will be more alternative energy vehicles in the future because of stricter fuel economy standards.

"We're going to see a lot of things happen that are good for the consumer, good for the country," he said. "That's where it's going. The train has left the station."